High school baseball district tournament previews

Forest High School senior Joshua Greene enters the District 7A-1 tournament with a .325 batting average with five home runs, 24 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. The Wildcats will host the tournament, beginning with the semifinals on Tuesday night.

Notes: The Wildcats will be looking to get back to the regional playoffs this year after last year marked the first time they hadn't made it in 10 years. It has been quite the season for head coach Wayne Yancey and his FHS team. Yancey earned his 600th career coaching victory back on March 22. Since then, the ‘Cats have only dropped one game, compiling a record of 21-3 for the season. Forest is led by a dominant pitching staff which boasts a team ERA of 1.01. The staff is led by senior Anthony Mazzurco (1.11 ERA, 8 wins, 44 K), junior Blake Waldren (1.38 ERA, 5 wins, 34 K) and senior Darrin Wasiewicz (1.02 ERA, 3 wins, save). At the plate Forest is led by Ben Ellzey, who is hitting a robust .481 with 19 RBI and 23 runs. Senior Jordon Austin (.368, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 20 runs) and senior Joshua Greene (.325, 5 HR, 24 runs, 13 SB) also fuel the Wildcat attack. Tallahassee Lincoln split its regular season series with Tallahassee Chiles with each team winning at home. Lincoln has made it to the regional playoffs in two out of the last three years, while Chiles made it last year and also back in 2009 when they lost in the 5A state title game to South Fork, 13-3. The Timberwolves are led by the pitching duo of Boomer Biegalski (0.83 ERA, 4 wins, 68 K) and Logan Smith (2.32 ERA, 5 wins, 43 K). Gainesville Buchholz has made the regional playoffs in 13 out of the last 14 years, including winning the district last season. The Bobcats split their season series with both Tallahassee schools and lost both matchups to Forest. Buchholz is led by Sean Kamhoot (.319, 19 RBI) at the plate and Phoenix Sanders (0.55 ERA, 7 wins, 68 K) on the mound.

Notes: South Lake suffered just one district loss this season. That defeat came on the road against Vanguard, a 10-6 decision in favor of the Knights, less than three weeks ago. The Eagles, like Vanguard, made the playoffs for the first time since 2001 last season. The Knights will square off against a Gainesville team that they've lost to both times they've played them this season. However, both those games were played in late February. Stephen Johnson leads the Knights in hitting with a .358 average and a team-high 13 RBI, while Adam Robles is hitting .354. Juniors Kyle Hansen (2.82 ERA, 4 wins, 41 K) and Darren Kelly (2.85 ERA, 2 wins, save, 46 K) lead VHS on the mound. Gainesville senior Case Harrison is hitting .429 with 13 runs and 19 stolen bases to lead the Hurricane offensive attack. Junior Will Whitlock leads the charge on the mound with a 2.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched. Lake Weir, which last made the playoffs in 2010, finished the season 12-12, having lost its three regular season games. But the Hurricanes will look to their sophomore duo of Dakota Spivey and Trace Thornal to lead them back to the regional playoffs. Spivey does a little bit of everything for the ‘Canes as he is their leading hitter with an average of .425 to go along with nine doubles and 20 RBI, and he also is one of their better pitchers, compiling a 3.40 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Thornal is hitting .373 with 17 runs and 17 RBI. Other key contributors for LWHS are Jordan Grisham (.339, 18 runs, 17 SB) and Bryan Prevatte (3.33 ERA, 4 wins, 58 K). Lake Weir split the season series with its first-round opponent, Leesburg, which last made the playoffs in 2005.

Notes: Citrus, the No. 1 seed, will be looking to make it back-to-back postseason appearances after missing out on the playoffs from 2007-11. It will await the winner of the 4-5 matchup, which features two teams that it has handled rather easily this season. The Hurricanes have beaten both West Port and Lecanto by an average of eight runs in the four contests. Their lone scare was a 9-8 victory against Lecanto in early March. Lecanto, the reigning district champ, should have all the confidence in the first-round game, having beaten WPHS twice this season, 16-5 and 9-4, respectively. It will be facing a Wolf Pack team that has struggled this season and will be looking to make their first playoff appearance. The Pack are led by junior Sammy Veloz, who is batting .417, while Kenny Cooper (3.72 ERA, 48 K) and Alec Jewell (3.45 ERA, 22 K) lead West Port on the mound. Brooksville Central features a young team as its main contributors are sophomores. Among that sophomore group is Thomas Sorrentino (.422, 14 RBI, 18 runs), C.J. Martinez (.348, 17 RBI) and Scott Dwyer (.355, 22 RBI). Springstead features more of a senior-laden team with Brandon Brosher (.448, 4 HR, 21 RBI) doing most of the damage. Central defeated Springstead in both of its prior matchups this season.

Notes: No. 1-seeded North Marion, the host school, will be looking to punch its ticket to the regional playoffs for the third consecutive season. Back in 2011, the Colts made a run all the way to the regional finals. This year's team will be looking for similar success. NMHS is led offensively by Walker Burgess, a Santa Fe College commit, who is hitting .359 with three home runs and 17 runs, while also helping out on the mound with five victories and 20 strikeouts. Dalton Southerland has also had a good all-around season for the Colts as he has put together a .306 average with five home runs, 20 RBI and 24 runs at the plate and a 1.50 ERA, four wins and 30 strikeouts on the mound. Garrison Vandeventer, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, has been stout on the mound for North Marion with a 1.88 ERA, three victories and 58 strikeouts in 44.2 innings. Belleview is a young team that is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Rattlers are led by freshman Jordan Silvola-Finch (.413, 7 doubles, 10 RBI) and fellow freshman Sam Cochrane (.409, 15 RBI, 20 runs, 11 SB). Silvola-Finch also sports a 1.71 ERA, while senior Jasen Biggins has a 2.05 ERA and five wins for BHS. Other key contributors for Belleview include sophomore David Haun (.397, 18 RBI) and senior Wade Dobson (.343, 12 RBI, 24 runs). Palatka has made the playoffs six out of the last seven years, while Eastside hasn't made it since 2001.

Notes: Dunnellon comes into the tournament riding a pretty good wave of success. The last time it was the No. 3 seed in the district tournament, it made it all the way to the state semifinals back in 2010. The Tigers will be looking to duplicate that success this season. Seniors Connor Wentz (.449, 3 HR's 14 doubles, 19 RBI) and Jordon Boley (.329, 9 doubles, 24 runs) lead the Tigers at the plate, while fellow senior Michael Roberson (2.20 ERA, 40 K) is the workhorse on the mound. Eustis finished 10-0 in district play in the regular season and hopes that trend continues in the tournament. Chris Okey's .423 average, four home runs, 27 RBI and 15 stolen bases, along with the strong arms of Wesley Moulden (7 wins, 1.58 ERA, 69 K) and Alex Hagner (5 wins, 2.27 ERA, 68 K) will lead the Eustis attack. Hernando finished 8-2 in District 5A-7 with its only two losses coming to Eustis. The Leopards feature slugging senior Christian Arroyo, who has mashed this season to the tune of a .494 average with eight home runs, 23 RBI and 29 runs. On the mound, they feature right-hander Brandon Lawson, who has a minuscule 0.33 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched. Having won the district last season, Hernando will be looking to make it four consecutive regional final appearances. Nature Coast is led by sophomore Vito Tambasco (.465, 14 RBI, 18 runs, 12 SB). Crystal River will be looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, while Tavares is looking to make it back-to-back berths after a 15-year absence prior to last season's breakthrough.

Notes: South Sumter earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament after losing just two games in District 4A-6 play. One loss came against Umatilla and the other against Mount Dora. The Raiders are led by solid pitching with five different pitchers recording at least 11 innings of work. Junior Call Graham leads the way, having logged 35.1 innings with a 1.78 ERA and 46 strikeouts. Sophomore Isaiah Cullum (0.28 ERA, 24.2 IP, 22 K), junior Garrett Cave (0.00 ERA, 15 IP, 18 K) and senior Jarod Lozano (1.85 ERA, 17 K, 4 saves) round out an impressive bunch. Cullum is also one of the leaders at the plate with a .304 average and 19 RBI. South Sumter hasn't made the playoffs since 2006. Trinity Catholic, on the other hand, has made 10 straight postseason appearances, including two state semifinal appearances in that span. The Celtics are led by reigning Star-Banner player of the year Dash Winningham. Winningham is currently batting .500 with a county-high 10 home runs, 28 RBI and 21 runs. Tim Retamoza, a North Florida commit, has a .368 average with three home runs and 18 runs, while fellow North Florida commit Alex Merritt is batting .367 with three homers and 15 RBI. On the mound the Celtics feature Jesse Lepore (1.63 ERA, 38.2 IP, 73 K's, 4 wins), David Larger (0.42 ERA, 33 IP, 33 K's, 5 wins) and Sam Atwell (2.52 ERA, 25 IP). Umatilla, the Celtics' first-round opponent which they have run-ruled in both games they played this season, is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Bulldogs are led by freshman Tanner Frabott who is hitting .423 with nine doubles, 21 RBI and 14 runs. Mount Dora, which won the district last year, has made the playoffs three years in a row, including a state semifinals appearance in 2011. Weeki Wachee will be looking to make its first appearance in the regional playoffs.

DISTRICT 2A-3

At Lecanto Seven River Christian High School (Homosassa Area Recreation Park)

<p><b>DISTRICT 7A-1</p><p>At Forest High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Tuesday — No. 3 Tallahassee Chiles vs. No. 2 Tallahassee Lincoln (at Lincoln HS), 7 p.m.; No. 4 Gainesville Buchholz vs. No. 1 Forest, 7 p.m.; Thursday — District championship game at Forest at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> The Wildcats will be looking to get back to the regional playoffs this year after last year marked the first time they hadn't made it in 10 years. It has been quite the season for head coach Wayne Yancey and his FHS team. Yancey earned his 600th career coaching victory back on March 22. Since then, the 'Cats have only dropped one game, compiling a record of 21-3 for the season. Forest is led by a dominant pitching staff which boasts a team ERA of 1.01. The staff is led by senior Anthony Mazzurco (1.11 ERA, 8 wins, 44 K), junior Blake Waldren (1.38 ERA, 5 wins, 34 K) and senior Darrin Wasiewicz (1.02 ERA, 3 wins, save). At the plate Forest is led by Ben Ellzey, who is hitting a robust .481 with 19 RBI and 23 runs. Senior Jordon Austin (.368, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 20 runs) and senior Joshua Greene (.325, 5 HR, 24 runs, 13 SB) also fuel the Wildcat attack. Tallahassee Lincoln split its regular season series with Tallahassee Chiles with each team winning at home. Lincoln has made it to the regional playoffs in two out of the last three years, while Chiles made it last year and also back in 2009 when they lost in the 5A state title game to South Fork, 13-3. The Timberwolves are led by the pitching duo of Boomer Biegalski (0.83 ERA, 4 wins, 68 K) and Logan Smith (2.32 ERA, 5 wins, 43 K). Gainesville Buchholz has made the regional playoffs in 13 out of the last 14 years, including winning the district last season. The Bobcats split their season series with both Tallahassee schools and lost both matchups to Forest. Buchholz is led by Sean Kamhoot (.319, 19 RBI) at the plate and Phoenix Sanders (0.55 ERA, 7 wins, 68 K) on the mound.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 6A-5</p><p>At Leesburg High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Tuesday — No. 5 Leesburg vs. No. 4 Lake Weir, 7 p.m.; Wednesday — No. 3 Vanguard vs. No. 2 Gainesville, 4 p.m.; Leesburg/Lake Weir vs. No. 1 South Lake, 7 p.m.; Thursday — District championship game at Leesburg at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> South Lake suffered just one district loss this season. That defeat came on the road against Vanguard, a 10-6 decision in favor of the Knights, less than three weeks ago. The Eagles, like Vanguard, made the playoffs for the first time since 2001 last season. The Knights will square off against a Gainesville team that they've lost to both times they've played them this season. However, both those games were played in late February. Stephen Johnson leads the Knights in hitting with a .358 average and a team-high 13 RBI, while Adam Robles is hitting .354. Juniors Kyle Hansen (2.82 ERA, 4 wins, 41 K) and Darren Kelly (2.85 ERA, 2 wins, save, 46 K) lead VHS on the mound. Gainesville senior Case Harrison is hitting .429 with 13 runs and 19 stolen bases to lead the Hurricane offensive attack. Junior Will Whitlock leads the charge on the mound with a 2.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched. Lake Weir, which last made the playoffs in 2010, finished the season 12-12, having lost its three regular season games. But the Hurricanes will look to their sophomore duo of Dakota Spivey and Trace Thornal to lead them back to the regional playoffs. Spivey does a little bit of everything for the 'Canes as he is their leading hitter with an average of .425 to go along with nine doubles and 20 RBI, and he also is one of their better pitchers, compiling a 3.40 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Thornal is hitting .373 with 17 runs and 17 RBI. Other key contributors for LWHS are Jordan Grisham (.339, 18 runs, 17 SB) and Bryan Prevatte (3.33 ERA, 4 wins, 58 K). Lake Weir split the season series with its first-round opponent, Leesburg, which last made the playoffs in 2005.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 6A-6</p><p>At Brooksville Central High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Monday — No. 5 West Port vs. No. 4 Lecanto (at Lecanto), 7 p.m.; Tuesday — West Port/Lecanto vs. No. 1 Citrus, 5 p.m.; No. 3 Springstead vs. No. 2 Central, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday — District championship game at Central at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> Citrus, the No. 1 seed, will be looking to make it back-to-back postseason appearances after missing out on the playoffs from 2007-11. It will await the winner of the 4-5 matchup, which features two teams that it has handled rather easily this season. The Hurricanes have beaten both West Port and Lecanto by an average of eight runs in the four contests. Their lone scare was a 9-8 victory against Lecanto in early March. Lecanto, the reigning district champ, should have all the confidence in the first-round game, having beaten WPHS twice this season, 16-5 and 9-4, respectively. It will be facing a Wolf Pack team that has struggled this season and will be looking to make their first playoff appearance. The Pack are led by junior Sammy Veloz, who is batting .417, while Kenny Cooper (3.72 ERA, 48 K) and Alec Jewell (3.45 ERA, 22 K) lead West Port on the mound. Brooksville Central features a young team as its main contributors are sophomores. Among that sophomore group is Thomas Sorrentino (.422, 14 RBI, 18 runs), C.J. Martinez (.348, 17 RBI) and Scott Dwyer (.355, 22 RBI). Springstead features more of a senior-laden team with Brandon Brosher (.448, 4 HR, 21 RBI) doing most of the damage. Central defeated Springstead in both of its prior matchups this season.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 5A-6</p><p>At North Marion High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Tuesday — No. 4 Eastside vs. No. 1 North Marion, 7 p.m.; Wednesday — Palatka vs.Belleview (seeding still to be determined by a coin flip), 7 p.m.; Thursday — District championship at North Marion at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> No. 1-seeded North Marion, the host school, will be looking to punch its ticket to the regional playoffs for the third consecutive season. Back in 2011, the Colts made a run all the way to the regional finals. This year's team will be looking for similar success. NMHS is led offensively by Walker Burgess, a Santa Fe College commit, who is hitting .359 with three home runs and 17 runs, while also helping out on the mound with five victories and 20 strikeouts. Dalton Southerland has also had a good all-around season for the Colts as he has put together a .306 average with five home runs, 20 RBI and 24 runs at the plate and a 1.50 ERA, four wins and 30 strikeouts on the mound. Garrison Vandeventer, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, has been stout on the mound for North Marion with a 1.88 ERA, three victories and 58 strikeouts in 44.2 innings. Belleview is a young team that is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Rattlers are led by freshman Jordan Silvola-Finch (.413, 7 doubles, 10 RBI) and fellow freshman Sam Cochrane (.409, 15 RBI, 20 runs, 11 SB). Silvola-Finch also sports a 1.71 ERA, while senior Jasen Biggins has a 2.05 ERA and five wins for BHS. Other key contributors for Belleview include sophomore David Haun (.397, 18 RBI) and senior Wade Dobson (.343, 12 RBI, 24 runs). Palatka has made the playoffs six out of the last seven years, while Eastside hasn't made it since 2001.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 5A-7</p><p>At Eustis High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Tuesday — No. 5 Nature Coast vs. No. 4 Crystal River, 4 p.m.; No. 6 Tavares vs. No. 3 Dunnellon, 7 p.m.; Wednesday — Tavares/Dunnellon vs. No. 2 Hernando, 4 p.m.; Nature Coast/Crystal River vs. No. 1 Eustis, 7 p.m.; Friday — District championship game at Eustis at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> Dunnellon comes into the tournament riding a pretty good wave of success. The last time it was the No. 3 seed in the district tournament, it made it all the way to the state semifinals back in 2010. The Tigers will be looking to duplicate that success this season. Seniors Connor Wentz (.449, 3 HR's 14 doubles, 19 RBI) and Jordon Boley (.329, 9 doubles, 24 runs) lead the Tigers at the plate, while fellow senior Michael Roberson (2.20 ERA, 40 K) is the workhorse on the mound. Eustis finished 10-0 in district play in the regular season and hopes that trend continues in the tournament. Chris Okey's .423 average, four home runs, 27 RBI and 15 stolen bases, along with the strong arms of Wesley Moulden (7 wins, 1.58 ERA, 69 K) and Alex Hagner (5 wins, 2.27 ERA, 68 K) will lead the Eustis attack. Hernando finished 8-2 in District 5A-7 with its only two losses coming to Eustis. The Leopards feature slugging senior Christian Arroyo, who has mashed this season to the tune of a .494 average with eight home runs, 23 RBI and 29 runs. On the mound, they feature right-hander Brandon Lawson, who has a minuscule 0.33 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched. Having won the district last season, Hernando will be looking to make it four consecutive regional final appearances. Nature Coast is led by sophomore Vito Tambasco (.465, 14 RBI, 18 runs, 12 SB). Crystal River will be looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, while Tavares is looking to make it back-to-back berths after a 15-year absence prior to last season's breakthrough.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 4A-6</p><p>At Mount Dora High School</b></p><p><b>Schedule:</b> Monday — No. 5 Weeki Wachee vs. No. 4 Mount Dora, 6 p.m.; Tuesday — No. 3 Umatilla vs. No. 2 Trinity Catholic, 4:30 p.m.; Weeki Wachee/Mount Dora vs. No. 1 South Sumter, 7:15 p.m.; Thursday — District championship game at Mount Dora at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>Notes:</b> South Sumter earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament after losing just two games in District 4A-6 play. One loss came against Umatilla and the other against Mount Dora. The Raiders are led by solid pitching with five different pitchers recording at least 11 innings of work. Junior Call Graham leads the way, having logged 35.1 innings with a 1.78 ERA and 46 strikeouts. Sophomore Isaiah Cullum (0.28 ERA, 24.2 IP, 22 K), junior Garrett Cave (0.00 ERA, 15 IP, 18 K) and senior Jarod Lozano (1.85 ERA, 17 K, 4 saves) round out an impressive bunch. Cullum is also one of the leaders at the plate with a .304 average and 19 RBI. South Sumter hasn't made the playoffs since 2006. Trinity Catholic, on the other hand, has made 10 straight postseason appearances, including two state semifinal appearances in that span. The Celtics are led by reigning Star-Banner player of the year Dash Winningham. Winningham is currently batting .500 with a county-high 10 home runs, 28 RBI and 21 runs. Tim Retamoza, a North Florida commit, has a .368 average with three home runs and 18 runs, while fellow North Florida commit Alex Merritt is batting .367 with three homers and 15 RBI. On the mound the Celtics feature Jesse Lepore (1.63 ERA, 38.2 IP, 73 K's, 4 wins), David Larger (0.42 ERA, 33 IP, 33 K's, 5 wins) and Sam Atwell (2.52 ERA, 25 IP). Umatilla, the Celtics' first-round opponent which they have run-ruled in both games they played this season, is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Bulldogs are led by freshman Tanner Frabott who is hitting .423 with nine doubles, 21 RBI and 14 runs. Mount Dora, which won the district last year, has made the playoffs three years in a row, including a state semifinals appearance in 2011. Weeki Wachee will be looking to make its first appearance in the regional playoffs.</p><p><b>DISTRICT 2A-3</b></p><p>At Lecanto Seven River Christian High School (Homosassa Area Recreation Park)</p><p>Teams: Cornerstone (Gainesville), Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto), St. John Lutheran (Ocala)</p>